85R9386 MCK-F
By: Watson S.B. No. 818
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to nutrition and fitness standards for certain child-care
facilities and training for employees at those facilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 42.042, Human Resources Code, is amended
by adding Subsections (s), (t), and (u) to read as follows:
(s) The executive commissioner by rule shall adopt minimum
standards that apply to day-care centers, group day-care homes, and
family homes for nutrition and daily dietary requirements, physical
activity, and time spent using or viewing electronic devices. The
minimum standards under this subsection must be consistent with:
(1) the nutrition and meal pattern standards in the
Child and Adult Care Food Program administered by the Texas
Department of Agriculture; and
(2) American Academy of Pediatrics standards for
physical activity and screen time as published in Caring for Our
Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards;
Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, 3rd Edition.
(t) The executive commissioner shall review any subsequent
amendments to the standards described by Subsection (s) and
determine whether the rules adopted under that subsection should be
amended to incorporate the new standards.
(u) The executive commissioner by rule shall require
day-care centers, group day-care homes, and family homes to provide
to parents, guardians, or caregivers of children enrolled at the
facility information on:
(1) sample healthy meals and snacks; and
(2) food allergies and choking hazards.
SECTION 2. Section 42.0421(a), Human Resources Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The minimum training standards prescribed by the
executive commissioner under Section 42.042(p) for an employee,
director, or operator of a day-care center, group day-care home, or
registered family home must include:
(1) 24 hours of initial training that must be
completed not later than the 90th day after the employee's first day
of employment for an employee of a day-care center who has no
previous training or less than two years of employment experience
in a regulated child-care facility, eight hours of which must be
completed before the employee is given responsibility for a group
of children;
(2) 24 hours of annual training for each employee of a
day-care center or group day-care home, excluding the director,
which must include at least six hours of training in one or more of
the following areas:
(A) child growth and development;
(B) guidance and discipline;
(C) age-appropriate curriculum; [and]
(D) teacher-child interaction; and
(E) child nutrition and age-appropriate indoor
and outdoor activities; and
(3) 30 hours of annual training for each director of a
day-care center or group day-care home, or operator of a registered
family home, which must include at least six hours of training in
one or more of the following areas:
(A) child growth and development;
(B) guidance and discipline;
(C) age-appropriate curriculum; [and]
(D) teacher-child interaction; and
(E) child nutrition and age-appropriate indoor
and outdoor activities.
SECTION 3. Section 2308.3155(b), Government Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) The commission shall adopt rules to administer the Texas
Rising Star Program, including:
(1) guidelines for rating a child-care provider who
provides child care to a child younger than 13 years of age,
including infants and toddlers, enrolled in the subsidized program;
[and]
(2) guidelines for rating a child-care provider on:
(A) nutrition, lunch provision, and menu
planning; and
(B) indoor and outdoor activities;
(3) a scoring methodology that credits a provider for
participating in, and remaining in good standing with, the Child
and Adult Care Food Program administered by the Texas Department of
Agriculture; and
(4) a timeline and process for regularly reviewing and
updating the quality standards used to determine the rating system
that includes the commission's consideration of input from
interested parties regarding those standards.
SECTION 4. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission and the Texas Workforce Commission shall adopt
the rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this
Act.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.